There have been mostly similarities with this pregnancy compared to the first. Things have just occured SOONER. Like, feeling the baby move, having indigestion, the belly bump showing, etc. But something that didn't really affect me much at all the first time, but came on rather suddenly and with intensity last week, was pronounced veins (spider veins or in some areas, varicose veins) behind my knees on both legs. The right leg is MUCH worse than the left. I presume that's related to the baby/uterine position putting pressure on the vena cava (did I spell that correctly?). It was causing some real pressure and pain for a few days, then seems to have subsided somewhat but gets worse towards the end of the day most days. I called my doctor and the advice was "buy some support hose from Wal-Mart and wear them during the day" Um, ok, it's in the 80's, I'm chasing a toddler around, and I already sweat a lot. I'm going to avoid those things until THE last possible minute. I'm usually not super stubborn about such things, but I will be so miserable wearing those things, not to mention looking like a hobo clown with shorts or capris and thigh-high support hose? Look out lingerie models, here comes the competition! So, I did a little reading and was relieved that these symptoms are normal for this stage of pregnancy (21 weeks) and that the suggestions were: exercise (check), putting your feet up (um, sometimes), sleeping on your left side (check), and wearing support hose (it was listed last, and no, NOT a check at this point). Though they didn't say it, I also cut out coffee completely at this point (I wasn't drinking much) since it does promote water retention and dehydration. Who knows! They said these issues do crop up and sometimes worsen with each pregnancy, and with age. That seems to fit my situation.
Anyone else struggle with vein issues and have any suggestions?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
hey mary! loved catching up on your posts. I actually had the full support hose with my pregnancy with T. Full up to the belly! I was having a bit of leg pain (ended up with a leg scan to make sure I didn't have a blocked vein - which was fine) but my doc prescribed the hose for me. I wore them pretty much only during times of long travel - plane rides or long car rides which can increase chance of blood clots. They weren't so bad really - though I understand not wanting to wear them all the time outside in the heat. Your comment about the hobo clown made me laugh though. :)
ReplyDelete